Melania Trump Announces Historic White House Feature Now Open To Public Visitors

By: Mackenzie Wright | May 17, 2017

First Lady Melania Trump might not be living at the White House yet, but she's finally thinking about playing host to visitors. Those touring the White House will now have the opportunity to catch a glimpse of a fun room that has never before been open to the public. Visitors can now see the White House Family Theater.

Melania Trump announced on Friday that the theater would open to the public 'for the first time in history.' She also tweeted a shot of the theater on social media. It has a total of 51 seats in tiered rows, with luxurious armchairs and ottomans lining the front row that make you want to kick your feet up, lay back, and turn on your cinema favorites.

The room, which is accessible through the visitor's foyer and is across from the Kennedy Garden, was originally the cloakroom. In 1942, President Franklin D. Roosevelt converted it into a theater. Initially, the décor was white and black, but the room has been redecorated and updated a few times over the decades. It's currently a vibrant red with gold trim. Over the years, the room has undergone renovations but has remained a theater.

Occasionally, presidents have taken a break with family and friends and enjoyed the latest flick. It's not like they can just go to the local theater, after all, and who doesn't love an occasional movie? Film studios make their films available to the White House upon request.

Jimmy Carter, in particular, was a big fan of the movies, having watched some 480 films during his four-year term. According to records, Carter's first White House screening was 'All the President's Men.' The Clintons first saw 'Lorenzo's Oil' when they moved into the White House, and President Donald Trump and family watched the Disney film, 'Finding Dory.'

Some presidents host special guests for screenings, such as military personnel and their families. It's also been reported that some presidents have used the room to practice their speeches, such as the annual State of the Union address.

The White House official Twitter feed released a video showing the previously hidden room off. "FLOTUS is proud to announce the movie theater is now open on the self-guided tours," reads the tweet, with a link to the White House website for more information.